The Cliffs of Magho ASSI

Protected area type: Areas of Special Scientific Interest
Feature type: 
  • Habitat
  • Species
County: 
  • Fermanagh
Council: Fermanagh and Omagh
Guidance and literature: The Cliffs of Magho ASSI

The Cliffs of Magho consists of a large, north-facing limestone escarpment overlooking Lower Lough Erne and supports an exceptional range of habit types.

The lower slopes are covered by one of the largest semi-natural woodlands in Northern Ireland; it is very diverse and contains the highest number of woodland species recorded at a single site. Rare species within the wood include Welsh poppy, thin-spiked wood sedge and bird's-nest orchid.

Above the wood, secondary scarps support a mixture of grassland and cliff ledge communities. Smaller sandstone ridges contain a mixture of heathland, woodland and scrub. Wet heath and blanket bog occur on the flatter, deeper peats. Wetland habitats are represented by a large mesotrophic lake with open waters, swamp and fen. These habitats all support a number of notable and rare plant species. The site is also important for breeding birds. 

Back to top